Low radiation wireless communicator

ABSTRACT

A wireless communicator, including a modem operable to transmit and receive voice communication phone calls, a power amplifier coupled with the modem operable to dynamically apply a variable gain factor to voice communications transmitted by the modem, to produce an appropriate power output, and a controller coupled with the modem including a radiation monitor operable to monitor the power output of the power amplifier, the controller being operable to restrict operation of the modem, based on data provided by the radiation monitor, when the cumulative power output produced by the power amplifier exceeds a pre-designated daily cumulative power limit.

PRIORITY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/093,830, entitled LOW RADIATION WIRELESS COMMUNICATOR, filed on Sep.3, 2008 by inventors Lior Storfer, Itay Sherman, Hagay Katz, EyalBychkov, Uriel R. Brison, Uri Ron, Tal Engelstein and Sagiv Zeltser.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to controlling radiation that is exposedto cell phone users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless communication devices have become essential for modern dayliving. These devices provide many communication and data processingfunctions. However, there are various studies alleging that radio wavesfrom the devices may harm body cells and damage DNA. A recent studyaddressing this issue was reported in Friedman, J., Kraus, S., Hauptman,Y., Schiff, Y. and Seger, R., “Mechanism of short-term ERK activation byelectromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequencies, Biochem. J., Vol. 5,2007, pages 559-568. The study shows that even low levels of radiationfrom mobile communication devices interfere with the process of celldivision, and may lead to growth of tumors.

A standard metric of radiation is the specific absorption rate (SAR).SAR is a measure of the rate at which energy is absorbed by the bodywhen exposed to a radio frequency electromagnetic field, and is definedas the power absorbed per mass of body tissue with units of watts perkilogram. There is much advisory literature and product documentationabout SAR levels of mobile phones.

It is thus of great concern to find ways to limit the potentiallyharmful effects of mobile communication devices, and especially forchildren who are becoming the largest consumer segment for mobilephones.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,562 to Pirhonen et al. describes restricting maximumtransmitted power of a mobile communication device, based on mode ofusage of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,139 to Nevermann describes use of a sensor forreducing the SAR of a mobile communication device. The sensor detectswhen the mobile communication device is in proximity to a body, such asa human body, and reduces the average power of the radio frequencyelectromagnetic energy radiated by the device accordingly.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,499,722 to McDowell et al. describes proximityregulation with a mobile communication device. Proximity regulation usesa location sensor to determine proximity of the mobile communicationdevice to a user based on a mode of operation of the device. A powergovernor is coupled to the location sensor to adjust a power level ofthe device, based on the proximity.

U.S. Publication No. 2005/0124305 A1 to Stichelbout describes adjustingtransmission power of a mobile communication device in response toproximity of the device to a person, whereby the transmission power ofthe device remains in the same power class as prior to adjusting thetransmission power.

International Publication WO 2009/040796 A1 to Luzzatto describes atelecommunications policy that reduces SAR by disabling a sound inputand/or output channels of a mobile communication device.

International Publication WO 2009/101618 A1 to Luzzatto describes aheadset that measures distance between a mobile communication device andthe headset, and notifies the user so as to maintain a safe radiationrange.

Most of the prior art approaches the problem of limiting radiation byadjusting power level of a radiating device. This approach has twodrawbacks; namely, it is intrusive to the user, and it is not favored bymobile carriers due to connectivity issues.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

In order to overcome drawbacks of prior art approaches to the problem oflimiting radiation exposure from mobile phones, the present inventionadopts an opposite approach to the prior art; namely, maintaining powerlevels of a radiating device, monitoring the radiation to which a useris exposed, and adjusting the user's behavior accordingly.

Aspects of the present invention provide a method and system forlowering amounts of radiation exposed to mobile phone users, byprogramming the phones to prevent users from speaking with the phonesnear their heads for long periods of time. When radiation thresholds areexceeded, a user is limited to sending and receiving incoming andoutgoing phone calls only to and from one or more pre-designated phonenumbers; and is prompted to switch to a low radiation listening mode,such as listening through a hands-free speaker, or through air-tubeearphones, or through such other speaker that ensures that the mobilephone is not positioned close to the user's head, in order to remove thelimitation. Aspects of the present invention are of particular advantageto parents, who can use the present invention to limit the amounts ofpotentially harmful radiation exposed to their children.

Further aspects of the present invention limit sending and receivingphone calls when an ongoing phone call exceeds a designed time limit,and/or when signal reception is below a designated signal strength,and/or when motion above a designated speed is detected, and/or when thephone is held in the same orientation, such as near the same listeningear, longer than a designated time limit. These conditions usuallyindicate excessive radiation exposure.

Further aspects of the present invention calibrate radiation thresholdsaccording to several parameters, including inter alia a user's gender,age and weight, the mobile phone's PCL class and transmission frequency,length of time the phone is used, and other audio components of themobile phone including inter alia a speaker, an earpiece, a microphone,a hands-free headset such as a Bluetooth headset, a car kit and air-tubeearphones.

There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention a wireless communicator, including a modem operable totransmit and receive voice communication phone calls, a power amplifiercoupled with the modem operable to dynamically apply a variable gainfactor to voice communications transmitted by the modem, to produce anappropriate power output, and a controller coupled with the modemincluding a radiation monitor operable to monitor the power output ofthe power amplifier, the controller being operable to restrict operationof the modem, based on data provided by the radiation monitor, when thecumulative power output produced by the power amplifier exceeds apre-designated daily cumulative power limit.

There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a wireless communicator, including a modem operable totransmit and receive voice communication phone calls, a hands-freespeaker, and a controller coupled with the modem and with the hands-freespeaker, the controller being operable to direct a phone call throughthe hands-free speaker between the time that the phone call is made andthe time when a person answers the phone call.

There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a wireless communicator, including a modem operable totransmit and receive voice communication phone calls, and a controllercoupled with the modem including a monitor operable to monitor anongoing call, the controller being operable to restrict operation of themodem, based on data provided by the monitor, when the ongoing phonecall exceeds a pre-designated length of time.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a wireless communicator, including a modem operable totransmit and receive voice communication phone calls, and a controllercoupled with the modem including a monitor operable to monitor receptionstrength of voice communication, the controller being operable torestrict operation of the modem, based on data provided by the monitor,when the reception strength is below a pre-designated threshold.

There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a wireless communicator, including a modem operable totransmit and receive voice communication phone calls, an accelerometerto measure an angle of orientation, and a controller coupled with themodem and with the accelerometer, the controller being operable torestrict operation of the modem when the accelerometer indicates asubstantially stationary angle of orientation longer than apre-designated length of time.

There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for limiting radiation transmitted by awireless communicator, including monitoring power output of a wirelesscommunicator, the wireless communicator being used to send and receivevoice communication phone calls, determining if the cumulative poweroutput exceeds a pre-designated daily cumulative power limit, andrestricting operation of the wireless communicator when the determiningis affirmative, including limiting usage of the wireless communicatorwhen the wireless communicator is not being used in a low radiationlistening mode.

There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for limiting radiation transmitted by awireless communicator, including monitoring an ongoing phone call of awireless communicator, the wireless communicator being used to send andreceive voice communication phone calls, determining whether the ongoingphone call of the wireless communicator has exceeded a pre-designatedlength of time, and restricting operation of the wireless communicatorwhen the determining is affirmative, including limiting usage of thewireless communicator when the wireless communicator is not being usedin a low radiation listening mode.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for limiting radiation transmitted by awireless communicator, including monitoring reception strength of voicecommunication of a wireless communicator, the wireless communicatorbeing used to send and receive voice communication phone calls,determining whether the reception strength is below a designatedthreshold, and restricting operation of the wireless communicator whenthe determining is affirmative, including limiting usage of the wirelesscommunicator when the wireless communicator is not being used in a lowradiation listening mode.

There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for limiting radiation transmitted by awireless communicator, including monitoring an angle of orientation of awireless communicator, the wireless communicator being used to send andreceive voice communication phone calls, determining whether thewireless communicator has been in a substantially stationary angle oforientation longer that a designated length of time, and restrictingoperation of the wireless communicator when said determining isaffirmative, including limiting usage of the wireless communicator whenthe wireless communicator is not being used in a low radiation listeningmode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a communication system constructed andoperative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a wireless communicator being inserted intoa jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a wireless communicator withradiation exposure monitoring and control functionality, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4-7 are simplified flowcharts of methods for monitoring andcontrolling radiation exposure from a wireless communicator, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to a system and method forlowering amounts of potentially harmful radiation that mobile phoneusers are exposed to. Embodiments of the present invention limitradiation exposure by programming mobile phones to operate in a“radiation control mode” when specific conditions occur.

When a mobile phone is in radiation control mode, a power output ismonitored and used to limit the phone's usage as described below. Use ofpower output as a metric of radiation exposure is based on the premisethat the power output of a mobile phone is directly correlated with itstransmission level.

In general, for purposes of power management in a cellular network, abase station instructs mobile phones to transmit at a designated powerlevel, by setting a parameter referred to as the “power class level”(PCL). When power management of a mobile phone is enabled, and the phoneis in “dedicated mode”, i.e., in use for conversation, the phone usesthe PCL to control its power output level. The PCL takes integer valuesthat correspond to specific output power levels. In low band GSMnetworks, such as EGSM and GSM850 networks, PCL=5 corresponds to a powerlevel of 33 dBm (2 Watt). The actual power transmitted by the mobilephone depends on antenna efficiency, and is lower than 33 dBm As the PCLincreases, the output power decreases. Each increase of PCL by onecorresponds to a decrease in output power of 2 dB. Thus PCL=6corresponds to an output power level of 31 dBm, PCL=7 corresponds to anoutput power level of 29 dBm, etc., through PCL=19 which corresponds toan output power level of 5 dBm.

The power output correlates directly with the SAR; as the power outputincreases the SAR increases, and as the power output decreases the SARdecreases.

When a mobile phone is in “idle mode”, i.e., not being used forconversation, the phone transmits only periodically, and powermanagement may not be implemented due to short transmission times.However, short transmissions generate only negligible radiationexposure. Transmissions in idle mode are generally performed when themobile phone is turned on or turned off, when a periodic update occurs,and when a location update occurs. The frequency of periodic updatesdepends on the network protocol, and is generally on the order of oneupdate per two or three hours.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when themobile phone is in radiation control mode, a pre-designated transmissionlimit is enforced. The radiation control mode is specified in terms of(i) a pre-designated “daily cumulative power limit”, and (ii) one ormore pre-designated phone numbers such as parents' phone numbers,emergency numbers and speed-dial numbers. The daily cumulative powerlimit is an upper limit, PTOTAL, on total power output,

P=∫PCL(t)I(t)dt,  (1)

where PCL(t) denotes the power class level at time t, and I(t) is aweighting function that ranges between 0 and 1 depending on how the useris listening to the mobile phone at time t, as described hereinbelow. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the dailycumulative power limit may be an upper limit on a different measure ofpower output, instead of the integral in Eq. (1), such as a weightedintegral of PCL(t), or such other measure. Similarly, the upper limitmay be an hourly limit, or such other time span, instead of a dailylimit.

The daily cumulative power limit may specify, for example, an upperlimit PTOTAL=600 dBm-min. which corresponds to, say, a power output of20 dBm during 30 minutes when the mobile phone's internal speaker isbeing used and the mobile phone is likely positioned close to the user'shead. When the daily cumulative power limit is reached, the mobile phoneis only operative to make and receive calls from the pre-designated oneor more phone numbers and emergency phone numbers.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the pre-designated dailycumulative power limit is reached, the mobile phone user is only enabledto continue speaking using a “low radiation listening mode”. A lowradiation listening mode includes listening with a hands-free speaker,with air-tube earphones, or with such other designated speaker orheadset that ensures that the phone is not near the user's head. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user is ableto designate a list of one or more listening devices that are permittedin low radiation listening mode, and to modify the list from time totime.

The weighting function I(t) in Eq. (1) is generally defined in terms ofparameters of the listening device being used at time t, including interalia the SAR of the listening device. For example, I(t)=1 if the user islistening to the mobile phone through its internal speaker at time t,I(t)=0 if the user is listening to the mobile phone using a hands-freeheadset at time t, and I(t) is between 0 and 1 if the user is listeningto the mobile phone using earphones, Bluetooth headset or such otherlistening device at time t. The weighting function I(t) may also dependon the SAR of the mobile phone itself.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an alert ismade when the pre-designated daily cumulative power limit is reached.The alert may be aural, visual or tactile such as by vibrating. Thealert informs the user that he has 60 seconds, or such other relativelyshort time limit, to continue speaking after which the call will bedisconnected unless the call is continued in a low radiation listeningmode.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,additional restrictions are applied, to reduce potential harm caused byexposure to radiation. One such restriction is limiting the length of acall. Prior to reaching the pre-designated daily cumulative power limit,the mobile phone restricts conversations that are longer than apre-designated length of time, unless the mobile phone is used in a lowradiation listening mode. The mobile phone prompts a user to switch thecall to a low radiation listening mode when the designated length oftime for the call is reached. This restriction is based on the premisethat heat generated by a mobile phone is hazardous, and thus, forexample, three conversations of two minutes' duration may be safer thanone conversation of six minutes' duration.

Another such restriction requires the user to move his phone from hisright ear to his left ear, or vice versa, after a pre-designated lengthof time. The mobile phone prompts the user to switch listening ear bygenerating a beep tone. The mobile phone employs an accelerometer, orsuch other device that measures an angle of orientation of the mobilephone, to detect when the user has switched listening ear.

Another such restriction imposes a lower bound on reception strength,below which the mobile phone does not transmit. In areas of poorreception, such as elevators and basements, signals sent and receivedhave above average intensities. Moreover, in closed conducting spaces,such as elevators and cars, radiation exposure is increased due toreflections. In such poor reception areas, the person on the other sideof the call is generally not properly heard. As such, stoppingtransmission in poor reception areas serves to reduce unnecessaryradiation.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, themobile phone is automatically switched to a low radiation listeningmode, if not already in such mode, during the time interval from when aphone number is dialed until the time when the person called answers thephone. Upon the person's answering the call, the mobile phone returns toits previous listening mode. As such, radiation exposure is reducedwhile a user is waiting for someone to answer a call.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile phone includes anapplication that locks the phone in the radiation control mode. Lockingmay be performed inter alia by entering a password.

In another embodiment, the present invention involves a modularcommunicator and a “jacket” therefor. A jacket is a device that providesa user interface for the communicator, enriches the capabilities of thecommunicator, and is not able to operate independently when thecommunicator is not connected thereto. The modular communicator insertsinside a cavity of the jacket. When inserted, the modular communicatorprovides the jacket with wireless modem capability, and the jacketprovides the modular communicator with a user interface.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when themodular communicator is inserted into the jacket, the communicatorautomatically sets itself to radiation control mode. The communicatormay be locked inside the jacket so that a child cannot extract it anduse it without parental control.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is an illustration of acommunication system constructed and operative in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 1 are a plurality ofcommunicators 100 a-100 c, including 2.5G communicators for a GSMnetwork, 3G communicators for GSM network, and CDMA communicators for aCDMA network. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthe networks illustrated in FIG. 1 are exemplary of a wide variety ofnetworks and communication protocols that are supported by thecommunicators of the present invention, such networks and communicationprotocols including inter alia WiFi, Bluetooth and WiMax.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a plurality of jackets 200 a-200 h. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, eachcommunicator 100 a-100 c may be connected to any of jackets 200 a-200 h,so as to operate in combination therewith. Communicators 100 a-100 c aresubstantially of the same form factor and, as such, are able to beconnected to each of jackets 200 a-200 h.

Reference is further made to FIG. 2, which is an illustration of awireless communicator 100 being inserted into a jacket 200, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Jacket 200 asshown in FIG. 2 includes a hollow cavity at the top for insertion ofcommunicator 100 therein.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a simplified block diagram ofa wireless communicator with radiation exposure monitoring and controlfunctionality, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Wireless communicator 100 includes eight primary components,as follows: a controller 110, a memory storage 120, a modem 130 forsending and receiving voice communications, a power management subsystem140, a power amplifier 150, an antenna 160, a connector 170 forconnecting the wireless communicator to jacket 200, and a subscriberidentification module (SIM) 180. In some embodiments of the presentinvention, power amplifier 150 is embedded in modem 130 as apre-amplifier.

Controller 110 executes programmed instructions that control modem 120and that control the data flow between wireless communicator 100 andjacket 200.

Modem 120 performs the communication functionality of wirelesscommunicator 100. Power management subsystem 140 includes chargingcircuitry for charging a battery 145. Power amplifier 150 includes aradio frequency (RF) interface 155, and is connected to antenna 160.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, controller110 includes a radiation monitor 115, which monitors the power output ofpower amplifier 150. Radiation monitor 115 determines the power outputbased on the PCL setting obtained from modem 120, as describedhereinabove. Radiation monitor 115 may be a software applicationexecuted by controller 110.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interfacebetween controller 110 and storage 120, and the interface betweencontroller 110 and modem 130 are both SD interfaces. The interfacebetween controller 110 and connector 170 is a custom interface.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that controller 110may be embodied as a hardware device, or alternatively controller 110may be embodied as a software controller.

Jacket 200 includes four primary components, as follows: a controller210, a memory storage 220, a user interface 230 and a connector 270, forconnecting the jacket to wireless communicator 100. Jacket 200 mayinclude an optional power management subsystem 240, and an optionalbattery 245.

User interface 230 may include one or more optional interface components(not shown), including inter alia a microphone, a headset audio jack, anearpiece, a mono speaker or stereo speakers, a vibrator, a keyboard anda display.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interfacebetween controller 210 and storage 220 is an SD interface. The interfacebetween controller 210 and connector 270 is a custom interface.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for monitoring and controlling radiation exposure from a wirelesscommunicator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.The steps shown in FIG. 4 are performed by a wireless communicator withradiation exposure monitoring and control functionality, such aswireless communicator 100 shown in FIG. 3.

At step 410 radiation monitor 115 monitors the power output of poweramplifier 150. The power output is determined from the PCL setting,obtained from modem 120, as described hereinabove. At step 420controller 110 determines whether or not the cumulative power amplifieroutput has exceeded a pre-designated daily cumulative power limit. Ifnot, then at step 430 controller 110 permits a user of wirelesscommunicator 100 to continue making all outgoing calls and to continuereceiving all incoming calls, and processing returns to step 410 forfurther monitoring.

If controller 110 determines at step 420 that the pre-designated dailycumulative power limit has been exceeded, then at step 440 controller110 further determines whether the user is operating wirelesscommunicator 100 in a low radiation listening mode, such as listeningthrough a hands-free speaker or through air tube earphones. If so, thenprocessing returns to step 430 and the user is permitted to continuemaking all outgoing calls and receiving all incoming calls.

If controller 110 determines at step 440 that wireless communicator 100is not being used in a low radiation listening mode, then at step 450controller 110 issues an alarm advising the user that the current callwill be disconnected after a short time period, unless the user switchesto a low radiation listening mode. After the short time period hasexpired, at step 460, unless the user switched to a low radiationlistening mode, controller 110 disconnects the current call andrestricts the user to only making calls to one or more pre-designatedphone numbers and to only receiving calls from one or morepre-designated phone numbers.

The daily cumulative power limit used at step 420 may be calibratedaccording to one or more parameters that affect radiation. In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, the user enters his gender,his age and his weight. If the user is a female, the user may also enterwhether or not she is pregnant. Alternatively, someone else, such as theuser's parents or spouse, may enter these parameters on behalf of theuser. These parameters impact the amount of radiation absorbed by theuser, and the daily cumulative power limit is accordingly based uponthem.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that different mobilephones may have different SAR profiles, depending upon the phone'santenna. The daily cumulative power limit may thus also be based uponthe frequency band (e.g., 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz) used bythe mobile phone.

As such, the daily cumulative power limit may be determined as afunction of user parameters including inter alia gender, age and weight,and network/phone parameters including inter alia usage time, PCL andfrequency band. Moreover, when wireless communicator 100 is used withone or more jackets 200 (FIG. 3), each jacket 200 may have its own SARprofile. As such, the daily cumulative power limit is also a function ofthe jacket SAR profile. The SAR profiles of the different jackets 200may be determined by a-priori testing.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, themobile phone may include additional audio input/output components, whichare also factored into calibration of the daily cumulative power limit.Such audio components include inter alia a speaker, an earpiece, amicrophone, a hands-free headset such as a Bluetooth headset, a car kitand air-tube earphones.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the mobilephone notifies the user of the amount of SAR he has been exposed to.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the flowchart ofFIG. 4 may be adapted to other radiation-related restrictions, inaddition to or instead of a cumulative power output limit. As mentionedhereinabove, restrictions may be placed on length of an ongoing call,reception strength, stationary orientation of a mobile phone near alistening ear, and other such restrictions.

Reference is made to FIGS. 5-7, which are simplified flowcharts of othermethods for monitoring and controlling radiation exposure from awireless communicator, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 5, at step 510 the wireless communicatormonitors an ongoing phone call. At step 520 the wireless communicatordetermines whether or not the ongoing phone call has exceeded apre-designate time limit. If not, then at step 530 the wirelesscommunicator permits a user to continue the ongoing call, and processingreturns to step 510 for further monitoring.

If the wireless communicator determines at step 520 that the ongoingphone call has exceeded the pre-designated time limit, then at step 540the wireless communicator further determines whether the user isoperating the wireless communicator in a low radiation listening mode,such as listening through a hands-free speaker or through air tubeearphones. If so, then processing returns to step 530 and the user ispermitted to continue the ongoing call.

If the wireless communicator determines at step 540 that the wirelesscommunicator is not being used in a low radiation listening mode, thenat step 550 the wireless communicator issues an alarm advising the userthat the ongoing call will be disconnected after a short time period,unless the user switches to a low radiation listening mode. After theshort time period has expired, at step 560, unless the user switched toa low radiation listening mode, the wireless communicator disconnectsthe ongoing call unless the ongoing call is with one or morepre-designated phone numbers.

Referring to FIG. 6, at step 610 a wireless communicator monitors itssignal reception strength. At step 620 the wireless communicatordetermines whether or not its reception strength is below apre-designated threshold. If not, then at step 630 the wirelesscommunicator permits a user to continue making all outgoing calls and tocontinue receiving all incoming calls, and processing returns to step610 for further monitoring.

If the wireless communicator determines at step 620 that its receptionstrength is below the pre-designated threshold, then at step 640 thewireless communicator further determines whether the user is operatingthe wireless communicator in a low radiation listening mode, such aslistening through a hands-free speaker or through air tube earphones. Ifso, then processing returns to step 630 and the user is permitted tocontinue making all outgoing calls and receiving all incoming calls.

If the wireless communicator determines at step 640 that it is not beingused in a low radiation listening mode, then at step 650 the wirelesscommunicator issues an alarm advising the user that the current callwill be disconnected after a short time period, unless the user switchesto a low radiation listening mode. After the short time period hasexpired, at step 660, unless the user switched to a low radiationlistening mode, the wireless communicator disconnects the current calland restricts the user to only making calls to one or morepre-designated phone numbers and to only receiving calls from one ormore pre-designated phone numbers.

Referring to FIG. 7, at step 710 the wireless communicator monitors itsangle of orientation during an ongoing phone call. Wireless communicatormay use an accelerometer to measure its angle of orientation, or suchother orientation sensing device. A substantially stationary angle oforientation is an indicator that the wireless communicator has likelybeen held next to the same listening ear. At step 720 the wirelesscommunicator determines whether or not its angle of orientation has beensubstantially stationary during the ongoing call longer than apre-designated time limit. If not, then at step 730 the wirelesscommunicator permits a user to continue the ongoing call, and processingreturns to step 710 for further monitoring.

If the wireless communicator determines at step 720 that the angle oforientation has been substantially stationary during the ongoing calllonger than the pre-designated time limit, then at step 740 the wirelesscommunicator further determines whether the user is operating thewireless communicator in a low radiation listening mode, such aslistening through a hands-free speaker or through air tube earphones. Ifso, then processing returns to step 730 and the user is permitted tocontinue the ongoing call.

If the wireless communicator determines at step 740 that the wirelesscommunicator is not being used in a low radiation listening mode, thenat step 750 the wireless communicator issues an alarm advising the userthat the ongoing call will be disconnected after a short time period,unless the angle of orientation of the wireless communicator issubstantially changed. After the short time period has expired, at step760, unless the user substantially changed the wireless communicator'sangle of orientation, the wireless communicator disconnects the ongoingcall unless the ongoing call is with one or more pre-designated phonenumbers.

In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art willrealize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied tothe methods and systems described. On such variation is use ofdiscontinuous transmission (DTX) to reduce the amount of radiationtransmitted by a mobile phone. Specifically, when the pre-designateddaily cumulative power limit of a mobile phone is exceeded, the voiceactivity detection threshold is adjusted to reduce the phone'stransmission.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to thespecific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A wireless communicator, comprising: a modem operable to transmit andreceive voice communication phone calls; a power amplifier coupled withsaid modem operable to dynamically apply a variable gain factor to voicecommunications transmitted by said modem, to produce an appropriatepower output; and a controller coupled with said modem comprising aradiation monitor operable to monitor the power output of said poweramplifier, the controller being operable to restrict operation of saidmodem, based on data provided by the radiation monitor, when thecumulative power output produced by said power amplifier exceeds apre-designated daily cumulative power limit.
 2. The wirelesscommunicator of claim 1 wherein said controller is operable to restrictoutgoing phone calls to one or more pre-designated phone numbers whensaid pre-designated daily cumulative power limit is exceeded.
 3. Thewireless communicator of claim 2 wherein the one or more pre-designatedphone numbers comprise emergency phone numbers.
 4. The wirelesscommunicator of claim 2 wherein the one or more pre-designated phonenumber comprise phone numbers of parents of a child who uses thewireless communicator.
 5. The wireless communicator of claim 2 whereinsaid controller is further operable to allow outgoing phone calls whensaid pre-designated cumulative power limit is exceeded, if the wirelesscommunicator is used in a low radiation listening mode.
 6. The wirelesscommunicator of claim 5 further comprising a hands-free speaker that canbe coupled with said controller, and wherein the low radiation listeningmode comprises listening to phone calls through said hands-free speaker.7. The wireless communicator of claim 5 further comprising a lowradiation headset that can be coupled with said controller, and whereinthe low radiation listening mode comprises listening to phone callsthrough said air-tube earphones.
 8. The wireless communicator of claim 7wherein said low radiation headset comprises air-tube earphones.
 9. Thewireless communicator of claim 7 wherein said low radiation headsetcomprises wired earphones.
 10. The wireless communicator of claim 7wherein said low radiation headset comprises a Bluetooth headset. 11.The wireless communicator of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism foractivating and deactivating said controller to respectively control andto not control operation of said modem based on data provided by saidradiation monitor.
 12. The wireless communicator of claim 11 whereinsaid mechanism activates said controller to control operation of saidmodem based on data provided by said radiation monitor, upon user entryof a password.
 13. The wireless communicator of claim 11 furthercomprising a jacket device into which the wireless communicator may beinserted, wherein said controller is automatically activated to controloperation of said modem based on data provided by said radiationmonitor, when the wireless communicator is inserted into said jacketdevice.
 14. The wireless communicator of claim 11 wherein the wirelesscommunicator may be locked in said jacket device so that it cannot beremoved therefrom by a child.
 15. The wireless communicator of claim 1wherein pre-designated daily cumulative power limit is calibratedaccording to a user's gender, age and weight.
 16. The wirelesscommunicator of claim 1 wherein the pre-designated daily cumulativepower limit is calibrated according to a frequency of transmission ofsaid modem.
 17. The wireless communicator of claim 1 further comprisingat least one audio component, and wherein the pre-designated dailycumulative power limit is calibrated according to the nature of said atleast one audio component.
 18. The wireless communicator of claim 17wherein said at least one audio component comprises at least one memberof the group consisting of a speaker, an earpiece, a microphone, ahands-free headset, a car kit and air-tube earphones.
 19. The wirelesscommunicator of claim 1 further comprising a jacket device into whichthe wireless communicator may be inserted, and wherein thepre-designated daily cumulative power limit is calibrated according to aSAR profile of the jacket device.
 20. A wireless communicator,comprising: a modem operable to transmit and receive voice communicationphone calls; a hands-free speaker; and a controller coupled with saidmodem and with said hands-free speaker, the controller being operable todirect a phone call through said hands-free speaker between the timethat the phone call is made and the time when a person answers the phonecall.
 21. A wireless communicator, comprising: a modem operable totransmit and receive voice communication phone calls; and a controllercoupled with said modem comprising a monitor operable to monitor anongoing call, the controller being operable to restrict operation ofsaid modem, based on data provided by the monitor, when the ongoingphone call exceeds a pre-designated length of time.
 22. A wirelesscommunicator, comprising: a modem operable to transmit and receive voicecommunication phone calls; and a controller coupled with said modemcomprising a monitor operable to monitor reception strength of voicecommunication, the controller being operable to restrict operation ofsaid modem, based on data provided by the monitor, when the receptionstrength is below a pre-designated threshold.
 23. A wirelesscommunicator, comprising: a modem operable to transmit and receive voicecommunication phone calls; an accelerometer to measure an angle oforientation; and a controller coupled with said modem and with saidaccelerometer, the controller being operable to restrict operation ofsaid modem when said accelerometer indicates a substantially stationaryangle of orientation longer than a pre-designated length of time.
 24. Amethod for limiting radiation transmitted by a wireless communicator,comprising: monitoring power output of a wireless communicator, thewireless communicator being used to send and receive voice communicationphone calls; determining if the cumulative power output exceeds apre-designated daily cumulative power limit; and restricting operationof the wireless communicator when said determining is affirmative,comprising limiting usage of the wireless communicator when the wirelesscommunicator is not being used in a low radiation listening mode. 25.The method of claim 24 wherein the low radiation listening modecomprises using the wireless communicator with a hands-free speaker. 26.The method of claim 24 wherein the low radiation listening modecomprises using the wireless communicator with a low radiation headset.27. The method of claim 26 wherein the low radiation headset includesair-tube earphones.
 28. The method of claim 26 wherein the low radiationheadset includes wired earphones.
 29. The method of claim 26 wherein thelow radiation headset includes a Bluetooth headset.
 30. The method ofclaim 24 wherein said limiting usage of the wireless communicatorincludes restricting incoming and outgoing phone calls sent and receivedby the wireless communicator to one or more pre-designated phonenumbers.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the one or morepre-designated phone numbers comprise emergency phone numbers.
 32. Themethod of claim 30 wherein the one or more pre-designated phone numbercomprise phone numbers of parents of a child who uses the wirelesscommunicator.
 33. The method of claim 24 further comprising issuing analarm advising a user that a current call will be disconnected unlessthe user switches the wireless communicator to the low radiationlistening mode.
 34. The method of claim 24 further comprisingcalibrating the pre-designated daily cumulative power limit according toa user's gender, age and weight.
 36. The method of claim 24 furthercomprising directing a phone call through a hands-free speaker betweenthe time that the phone call is made and the time when a person answersthe phone call.
 37. A method for limiting radiation transmitted by awireless communicator, comprising: monitoring an ongoing phone call of awireless communicator, the wireless communicator being used to send andreceive voice communication phone calls; determining whether the ongoingphone call of the wireless communicator has exceeded a pre-designatedlength of time; and restricting operation of the wireless communicatorwhen said determining is affirmative, comprising limiting usage of thewireless communicator when the wireless communicator is not being usedin a low radiation listening mode.
 38. A method for limiting radiationtransmitted by a wireless communicator, comprising: monitoring receptionstrength of voice communication of a wireless communicator, the wirelesscommunicator being used to send and receive voice communication phonecalls; determining whether the reception strength is below a designatedthreshold; and restricting operation of the wireless communicator whensaid determining is affirmative, comprising limiting usage of thewireless communicator when the wireless communicator is not being usedin a low radiation listening mode.
 39. A method for limiting radiationtransmitted by a wireless communicator, comprising: monitoring an angleof orientation of a wireless communicator, the wireless communicatorbeing used to send and receive voice communication phone calls;determining whether the wireless communicator has been in asubstantially stationary angle of orientation longer that a designatedlength of time; and restricting operation of the wireless communicatorwhen said determining is affirmative, comprising limiting usage of thewireless communicator when the wireless communicator is not being usedin a low radiation listening mode.